Programmable steering toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

A TOY VEHICLE WHICH CAN BE PROGRAMMED TO MOVE IN A DESIRED COURSE, BY INSERTING PLUGS INTO APPROPRIATE HOLES IN A PROGRAMMING WHEEL. THE PROGRAMMING WHEEL HAS THREE CONCENTRIC GROUPS OF HOLES, TO RECEIVE PLUGS TO DESIGNATE A LEFT TURN, RIGHT TURN, OR STRAIGHT-AHEAD MOVEMENT. THE PROGRAMMING WHEEL IS SLOWELY TURNED SO THAT IT MAKES ONE REVOLUTION WHILE THE VEHICLE MAKES ONE COMPLETE RUN ALONG ITS ROUTE, THE WHEEL BRINGING THE PLUGS SUCCESSIVELY INTO POSITION TO DIRECT THE COURSE OF THE VEHICLE. TWO SETS OF CAMS POSITIONED BELOW THE PROGRAMMING WHEEL ARE MOVED BY THE PLUGS TO TURN THE VEHICLE WHEELS, EACH SET OF CAMS INCLUDING A TURNING CAM WHICH CAN STEER THE VEHICLE AT A PREDETERMINED ANGLE, AND A RETURN CAM WHICH IS STRUCK BY A PLUG A PREDETERMINED TIME AFTER THE TURNING CAM IS STRUCK, TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO ITS STRAIGHT-AHEAD POSITION AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS TURNED APPROXIMATELY 90* FROM ITS PREVIOUS DIRECTION.

Nov. 23, 1971 v, os Y ETAL 3,621,608

PROGRAMMABLE STEERING TOY VEHICLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 2, 1970Nov. 23, 1971 0. v. BOSLEY ETAL 3,621,608

PROGRAMMABLE STEERING TOY VEHICLE 4 Shoots-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1970WMM D. V. BOSLEY ET'AL PROGRAMMABLE STEERING TOY VEHICLE New 23, 1971Filed March 2, 1970 4 Sheets-Sheet L W M d-JM United States Patent O3,621,608 PROGRAMMABLE STEERING TOY VEHICLE Denis V. Bosley, lPalosVerdes Peninsula, Donald C.

Hartling, Garden Grove, Richard E. Henderson, Huntington Beach, James F.Monday, Southgate, and Conrad 13. Sloop, Huntington Beach, Calif.,assignors to Mattel,

Inc., Hawthorne, Calif.

Filed Mar. 2, 1970, Ser. No. 15,669 Int. Cl. A63r 17/00 US. Cl. 46-206Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A toy vehicle which can be programmedto move in a desired course, by inserting plugs into appropriate holesin a programming wheel. The programming wheel has three concentricgroups of holes, to receive plugs to designate a left turn, right turn,or straight-ahead movement. The programming wheel is slowely turned sothat it makes one revolution while the vehicle makes one complete runalong its route, the wheel bringing the plugs successively into positionto direct the course of the vehicle. Two sets of cams positioned belowthe programming wheel are moved by the plugs to turn the vehicle wheels,each set of cams including a turning cam which can steer the vehicle ata predetermined angle, and a return cam which is struck by a plug apredetermined time after the turning cam is struck, to return thevehicle to its straight-ahead position after the vehicle has turnedapproximately 90 from its previous direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This inventionrelates to toy vehicles, and more particularly, to toy vehicles whichcan be programmed to move along a predetermined route.

(2) Description of the prior art A highly entertaining toy is providedby a vehicle which can be programmed to move along a variety of routes.In order to facilitate programming of the route by a child, it should bepossible to accurately define a route by making simple choices aboutseveral parts of the route, such as whether the vehicle will turn leftor right or continue straight ahead during each of several intervals. Itis also desirable that the vehicle be capable of accurately repeating aprogram, so that once a route is established and tested, a child canknow with confidence that the vehicle will accurately repeat that route.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present inventionis to provide a toy vehicle which can be programmed in a simple mannerto follow a desired route.

Another object is to provide a programmably steerable toy vehicle whichcan accurately repeat a route for which it has been programmed.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a toyvehicle is provided which has a motordriven traction wheel for moving italong the ground and a pair of steering wheels which can be pivoted toturn the vehicle to the left or right as well as steer it straightahead. A programming wheel is rotatably mounted on the vehicle and isdriven by the motor so that it makes one complete revolution each timethe vehicle moves along a programming course. The programming wheel canreceive programming elements that pivot the steering wheels in a desireddirection, the programming elements successively coming into position tooperate the steering wheels as the programming wheel turns.

Patented Nov. 23, 1971 The steering wheels are held by a yoke that canbe shifted to the left or right to steer the vehicle, the yoke beingshifted by a steering lever which lies under the programming wheel. Thesteering lever carries two pairs of cams, one pair being operated for aleft turn and the other for a right turn. A programming elementpositioned to dictate a turn first strikes a left or right turning camto cause the steering wheels to steer a predetermined angle away from astraight-ahead direction. After the vehicle has moved a predetermineddistance whereby it has turned from its previous direction, the sameprogramming element strikes a return cam which causes the steeringwheels to return to a straight-ahead position. The programming elementsare plugs which can be inserted down through holes in the programmingwheels so that their lower ends are in the path of the cams.

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. The invention will be best understood from thefollowing description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of aprogrammable vehicle constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle of FIG. 1, partly in elevation andpartly in section, and is a view which is taken on the line 22 of FIG.3;

FIG. 3 is a view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3A is a partial perspective view of the steering lever of FIG. 3,showing the manner in which the cams engage a plug;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, showing the apparatusfor latching the steering wheels;

FIG. 5 is a view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a view taken on the line 5A-5A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a programming elementpassing between a pair of turning cams;

FIG. 7 is a partial view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the vehicleundergoing a right turn;

FIG. 8 is a partial view showing the electrical switch apparatusimmediately prior to the end of a vehicle run; and

FIG. 9 is a view of the electrical switch apparatus taken on the line9-9 of FIG. 3

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates aprogrammable vehicle 10 constructed in accordance with the invention,which includes a traction wheel 12 at the front that is motor driven tomove the vehicle along the ground, and a pair of steerable wheels 14, 16at the rear which steer the vehicle. The vehicle can be programmed tofollow a desired course by inserting each of eleven plugs 18 into holesin a programming wheel 20. The vehicle can then be started on a run ofgiven length such as 20 feet. During the run, the programming wheel 20makes one complete revolution so that each of the eleven plugs 18 movespast a mechanism that can steer the steerable wheels 14, 16. Thus, bythe time the vehicle has completed its run, it traverses a course withup to eleven turns in it. The course may be set up so that the vehiclereturns to the same spot from which it started. Upon completion of therun of predetermined length, the vehicle automatically stops.

In order to program the vehicle for a run, a child inserts each of theeleven plugs 18 into one of three holes in the programming wheel. Theholes are arranged in three concentric circles, including a radiallyinner circle of holes 22 for commanding right turns, a middle row ofholes 24 for commanding the vehicle to continue straight ahead, and aradially outer circle of holes 26 for commanding left turns. Afterestablishing a program, a child places the vehicle on the ground andfacing in the direction desired for the start of the run, and he turns aswitch lever 28 to an ON position to start the vehicle. The vehicle thenmoves forward a limited distance and then either turns or continuesstraight ahead in accordance with the placement of the first of theeleven plugs 18. After each interval of travel, such as 20 inches, thevehicle may be commanded to make a turn, by reason of the placement of aplug 18 in a particular one of three holes. After each turn, the vehicleis traveling in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction oftravel prior to the turn. After the vehicle has traversed eleven of thepredetermined intervals, it continues a short distance and stops. Inmany instances, a child may program the vehicle so that it stops at thesame position at which it started.

At the end of each run, the switch lever 28 is automatically moved to anOFF position. A child can start the vehicle on another run by merelymoving the lever 28 to the ON position again. If the program has notbeen changed, i.e., if none of the plugs 18 have been installed indifferent holes, and if the vehicle is started at the same location andin the same initial direction as in the previous run, then it willaccurately traverse the same course which it traversed in the previousrun.

In order to enhance the entertainment value of the toy, it isconstructed as an astronaut vehicle, and carries a capsule 30 at itstop. The capsule has a transparent cover 32 Which can be opened bypivoting it upwardly about a hinge area 34, to install or remove anastronaut figure 36 therefrom. The capsule not only provides a way forplacing the doll on the vehicle to simulate an astronaut driving thevehicle, but helps to indicate which direction is the forward direction,so a child knows which is the straight-ahead direction.

FIG. 3 illustrates the mechanism which enables the plugs to steer thevehicle. Each steerable wheel 14, 16 is rotatably mounted on awheel-holding member 38, 40 that is pivotally mounted on the housing orframe 42 of the vehicle, at pivot points 44, 46. A yoke 48 has oppositeends with slots 50, 52 that engage pins 54, 56 extending from thewheel-holding members 38, 40. With the vehicle traveling in the forwarddirection indicated by arrow F (note that the steerable wheels are inthe rear), a shifting of the yoke 48 in the direction L causes it topivot both wheel-holding members 38, 40 clockwise. This causes turningof the steerable wheels 14, 16 in a manner that steers the vehicle tothe left (with respect to forward vehicle movement). On the other hand,a shifting of the yoke 48 in the direction R causes it to pivot bothwheelholding members to turn the vehicle to the right. Thus, left andright shifting of the yoke 48 steers the vehicle. The yoke is mountedfor sideward sliding by several slider bearings including bearings 58,60.

The center of the yoke has a slot 62 which receives a pin 64 thatextends from .a steering lever 66. The steering lever 66 is pivotallymounted at 68 on the frame 42. When the steering lever pivots in thedirection of arrow r, it shifts the yoke 48 to the right, causing thesteerable wheels to steer the vehicle to the right. Similarly, pivotingof the steering lever 66 in a direction opposite to arrow r causes thevehicle to steer to the left.

The steering lever 66 carries four cams, which can also be seen in FIG.3A. These include a right turning cam 70, a right return cam 72, a leftturning cam 74, and a left return cam 76. Each plug 18 has a pin 78which can move along a path to strike the cams. The pins move alongpaths which may be referred to as right, straight, and left steeringcircles 22C, 24C and 26C, respectively. A pin moving along the rightturning circle 22C contacts the leading edge portion 70E of rightturning cam 70 to rotate the steering lever 66 in the direction of arrowr. This causes the steering lever to shift the yoke 48 in direction R,causing both wheel-holding members 38, 40

to pivot in a counter clockwise direction, and pivot both steerablewheels 14, 16 to steer the vehicle to the right. A short time later, thepin which contacted cam 70 contacts the right return cam 72, and pushesit to return the steering lever to its original position. This causesthe steering lever to shift the yoke 48 back to its original position tocause both steerable wheels to turn back to a straightahead steeringposition. In a similar manner, a pin moving along the left steeringcircle 26C contacts the leading portion of left turning cam 74 to pivotthe steering lever in a direction to turn the vehicle to the left. Ashort time thereafter, the same pin contacts the left return cam 76 toreturn the wheels to a straight-ahead position. FIG. 3A illustrates thesituation where a pin 78 moving along the left steering circle 26C hasalready passed the left turning cam 74 and is moving toward theleft-return cam 76 which it will contact at the point 80. It may benoted that pins moving along the straight steering circle 24C movebetween the turning cams 70, 74 and have no effect on the steering.

As described above, the cams on the steering lever 66 can cause thesteerable wheels 14, 16 to steer to a predetermined angle to the left orright and then back to a straight-ahead position. However, it ispossible for the steerable wheels to wander away from the angles towhich they are pivoted during the periods inbetween engagement of a pin68 with a cam. A latch 83 is provided to positively hold the steerablewheels at each of the three positions (right, left, and straight-ahead)to which they can be pivoted by engagement of the plug pins 68 with thecams. The latch 82 includes a latching spring 84 held at an inner end 86and a middle portion 88 thereof, so that its outer end 90 is biaseddownwardly towards the yoke 48. The yoke 48 is constructed with a pairof teeth that form three recesses 92, 94 and 96 that can receive theouter end 90 of the spring latching member 84, as also shown in FIG. 4.When the yoke 48 has been shifted for a right turn, the latching end 90of the spring falls into the recess 92 in the yoke to hold it in thatshifted position. The latching end 90 maintains the yoke very close to apredetermined position so that the angle of steering to which thesteerable wheels have been turned is accurately fixed. This angle isfixed regardless of the fact that the pin 78 may be skewed slightly andmay have pushed the cams slightly too far or not far enough. Similarly,the latching end 90 accurately holds the yoke in a left-turning orstraight-ahead position. Latching the steerable wheels at preciselyknown angles is important in assuring accurate and repeatableprogramming, as will be discussed below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the driving or traction wheel 12 and programmingwheel 20 are driven by an electric motor 100 that can be energized by abattery indicated at 101 that is carried in the vehicle frame. The motor100 drives a speed reducing gear train 102 which drives a gear 104 fixedto the traction wheel 12. The traction wheel 12 and gear 104 are fixedto each other and rotatably mounted on a shaft 106 that is fixed to theframe. The traction wheel carries a tire 108 that increases its tractionon the ground. A bevel gear 110 is fixed to the traction wheel 12, andit turns another bevel gear 112 and a pinion 114 that engages gear teeth116 on the programming wheel 20. Thus, the programming wheel 20 isturned in direct proportion to turning of the traction wheel 12. Thelarge speed reduction employed in driving the programming wheel 20causes it to rotate only once in each vehicle run, during which thetraction wheel 12 rotates many times to drive the vehicle a longpredetermined distance such as 20 feet.

As previously mentioned, energization of the motor 100 is accomplishedmanually by moving a switch lever 28 towards an ON position, whiletermination of motor energization at the end of a run is accomplishedautomatically. The battery 101 (often two batteries are provided) hasone terminal connected to a conductive strip 118 that is fixed to thevehicle frame, and another terminal that is connected by a wire (notshown), to a terminal 120 of the motor 100. The other terminal 122 ofthe motor must be electrically connected to the conductive strip 118 inorder to complete the motor energization circuit. A conductive leafspring 124 is provided whose inner end is connected to motor terminal122, and whose outer end is split into two conductive members 126 and128. The switch lever 28 which is pivotally mounted at 130 on thehousing, has a pair of pins 132, 134 which hold the conductive members126, 128 away from the conductive strip 118. However, if the switch 28is moved to the ON position, as shown in FIG. 6, then pin 132 releasesthe conductive member 128 and pin 13 4 forces the member 128 intocontact with a portion of the conductive strip 118 to complete the motorenergizing circuit. FIG. 9 illustrates details of the conductive strip,showing a pair of contact surfaces 136, 138 thereon which can becontacted by the conductive members 126 and 128, respectively.

Referring again to FIG. 3, when the switch lever 28 has been manuallyturned to the ON position, the motor is energized and it powers thetraction Wheel 12 to make the vehicle move while rotating theprogramming wheel 20. Near the end of a vehicle run, when theprogramming wheel 20 has nearly completed one turn, the mechanism shouldoperate to automatically turn the switch lever 28 to an OFF position andto de-energize the motor. Movement of the switch lever to an OFFposition is accomplished by a de-energizing cam 1 40 that is fixed tothe underside of the programming wheel 20. When the switch lever 28 isin an ON position, a projection 142 on the lever 28 is in the path ofthe de-energizing cam 140. The cam 140 pushes the projection 142 torotate the lever 28 in a clockwise direction to its fully OFF" position.This causes the pin 132 on the lever to push the contact member 126 awayfrom the conductive strip 118.

It would be possible to rely solely on the de-energizing earn 140 toturn off the motor at the end of a vehicle run, if it could be known atwhich rotational position the cam 140 will move projection 142 farenough. However, the precise rotational position of the programmingwheel at which the conductive member 126 just breaks contact with theconductive strip 118, cannot be accurately known. As a result, thevehicle may move a different distance for different runs, and thevehicle cannot be relied upon to accurately repeat a run. Accuraterepeating or duplication of a run is important where the vehicle mayhave to pass around a complicated series of barriers. In order to moreaccurately define an end of a run, an auxiliary energizing earn 144 isprovided on the programming wheel, which pushes the other conductivemember 128 against the conductive strip 118 and releases it therefrom atprecise times near the end of a run.

The conductive member 128 is formed with a sharp bend at 146 to assurean accurate location at which it disengages from the auxiliary engagingcam 144. Near the end of a run, and prior to movement of the projection142 by the de-energizing cam 1148, the auxiliary cam 144 contacts theconductive member 128 and pushes it outwardly to touch the conductivestrip 118. A short time thereafter, the de-energizing cam 140 moves theprojection 142 to rotate the switch lever 28 to a fully OFF position tobreak contact between conductive member 126 and conductive strip 118.However, the other conductive member 1223 continues to be pushed againstthe conductive strip 118 by the auxiliary cam 144. A short timethereafter (i.e., after the programming wheel 20 has turned severaldegrees further), the trailing edge of the auxiliary cam 144 passes overthe sharp bend 146 in the conductive member 128. The conductive member128 then quickly springs radially inwardly. In springing inwardly, themember 128 breaks contact with the conductive strip 118 and opens themotor energizing circuit. The rotational position at which the auxiliarycam 144 will release the conductive member 128 is highly repeatable, andtherefore the vehicle will travel a highly repeatable route for a givenprogram.

FIG. 2 shows the manner in which the pin 78 of a plug 18 can beselectively inserted through any one of three holes 2 2, 24, 26 of theprogramming wheel 20. The plug 18 is held by a flexible member 150 whoseinner end is tied to a member 152 that rotates with the programmingwheel 20. The coupling member 158 serves to hold the plugs 18 to thevehicle so that they cannot be lost. It would be possible to eliminatethe radially center row of holes 24 that command a continuation ofstraightahead motion, but then the plugs 18 would be dangling in amanner that was not neat. The provision of the holes 24 also help toemphasize the fact that a decision as to whether the vehicle must turnleft or right or continue straight-ahead must be made for each sector ofthe programming wheel.

In order to set up the vehicle to follow a desired path, a child insertsthe pins of each of the eleven plugs into one of the three holescorresponding to that plug. The vehicle can be programmed to return tothe same spot from which it started. By appropriately placing thedeenergizing cam 140 and auxiliary cam 144 with respect to the switchlever 28 and conductive spring 124, the vehicle turns itself OFF at atime approximately halfway between the position when the last turn of arun is ended and the time when the first turn of a run can begin. Thus,the vehicle is always moving in a straightahead direction for at leastthe first few inches of motion at the beginning of a run.

In order to simplify programming, each turn moves the vehicle very closeto (to the left or right) away from the direction in which it wastraveling prior to the beginning of the turn. This is accomplished bysteering the steerable wheels quickly to a predetermined angle away froma straight-ahead direction at the beginning of a turn, holding thewheels accurately at that angle during the entire turn, and quicklystraightening out the wheels at the end of the turn. In addition, thevehicle must move a precisely known distance during each turn so thatthe wheels are straightened out when the vehicle has moved far enoughalong the turn to change its direction by 90-".

The rapid turning of the steerable wheels is accomplished byconstruction of the turning earns 70, 72 with steeply angled leadingedges. Normally, such steeply angled leading edges of a cam would resultin uncertainty as to the precise angle to which the wheels have beenturned. However, the precision of angle is determined by the latchingend 90 of the latching member 84 lying in the center of one of therecesses 92, 9'4 or 96 of the yoke 48.

The movement of the vehicle a predetermined distance along a turn isassured by the fact that the traction wheel 12 which moves the vehiclealong the ground is coupled by gears to the programming wheel 20, sothat they move in a precise proportional relationship. Thus, if themotor turns slower or faster, and the vehicle therefore moves slower orfaster, the distance covered during a turn still remains constant.

The rapid return of the steerable wheels to a straightahead position atthe end of a turn is assured by the fact that the return earns 72, 76are steeply angled, so that they are quickly moved once they arecontacted by a pin. Of course, the distance through which the vehiclemoves during a turn is determined by the spacing of a return earn fromits corresponding turning cam, but this can be made accurate by accurateconstruction of the steering lever 66. The return of the steerablewheels to a straight-ahead position is again assured by accuratereception of the latching end 90 of the latching member 84 in the centerrecess 94 of the yoke. Thus, even though the programming wheel 20 turnsslowly, each turn can be made relatively accurately. Low cost massproduced programmable vehicles can be constructed to hold each vehicleturn to within about 5 from a precise right angle turn.

Thus, the invention provides a vehicle which can be easily programmed tofollow a variety of courses during a run of given length, and isconstructed so that it can accurately repeat a programmed run. Thevehicle can be programmed in an entertaining manner by merely insertingplugs in easily accessible holes, the plugs being held so that they arenot lost during play by a child. The vehicle is constructed in anattractive manner, and it can carry astronaut figures which can beeasily installed or removed therefrom. The figures are positioned sothat they appear to be operating the vehicle. The vehicle is alsoconstructed so that it moves along a run of given length, andautomatically shuts itself off after the run. Accordingly, even if achild neglects the vehicle after starting it, the batteries will not berun down.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variationsmay readily occur to those skilled in the art and, consequently, it isintended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications andequivalents.

What is claimed is:

1. A programmably steerable toy vehicle comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a plurality of wheels for at least partially supporting said frame;

wheel holding means rotatably supporting at least one of said wheels,said wheel holding means mounted on said frame for pivoting between afirst position to steer said vehicle in a straight-ahead path and asecond position to turn said vehicle to a predetermined angle away froma straight-ahead path;

a generally flat programming wheel rotatably mounted on said frame;

a plurality of programming elements selectively positionable on saidprogramming wheel in selectively different radial positions thereon;

means for turning said programming wheel so that said elements move in acircular path;

first means positioned along the path of programming elements at oneradial position on said wheel, said first means responsive to engagementby and movement of a programming element at said one radial position forpivoting said wheel holding means from said first position to saidsecond position;

second means positioned further along the path of said programmingelements than said first means, said second means being responsive toengagement by and movement of said programming element for pivoting saidwheel holding means from said second position to said first position;and

releasable latching means for retaining said holding means accurately insaid first and second positions.

2. The toy vehicle described in claim 1 wherein:

said programmable wheel has an upper surface which is open to view, andplurality of holes spaced about its axis of rotation;

said first and second means are located below said programmable wheel;and

said programming elements include plugs having pins for insertionthrough said holes in said programmable wheel so their lowest ends cancontact said first and second means; and including a plurality offlexible members, each having an outer end tied to one of said plugs andan inner end tied to said programmable wheel to rotate therewith,whereby said pins are always close to a hole in which they can beinserted and their insertion positions are readily apparent from viewingsaid vehicle.

3. The toy vehicle described in claim 1 including:

a driving wheel rotatably mounted on said frame to drive said vehiclealong the ground;

a motor coupled to said driving wheel to turn it;

a manually operable switch member for movement between an on position toturn on said motor, and an off position to stop said motor;

a first cam mounted on said programmable wheel for moving said switchmember to said off position when said programming wheel reaches apredetermined position near the end of a vehicle run;

auxiliary switch means operable to keep said motor on; and

a second cam mounted on said programming wheel to close said auxiliaryswitch means continuously from a time prior to said programming wheelreaching said predetermined position to a time after said wheel reachessaid predetermined position, whereby to assure stopping of said motor ata precisely determined position of said programming wheel.

4. The toy vehicle described in claim 1 wherein:

said programmable wheel is rotatably mounted about a substantiallyvertical axis and is disposed above said first and second means, saidprogrammable wheel also having holes therein; and

said programming elements include plugs with pins for insertion throughsaid holes so their lower ends can contact said first and second means.

5. The toy vehicle described in claim 1 wherein:

said means for turning said programming wheel includes means for movingsaid vehicle frame and said programming wheel at a constant ratio withrespect to each other; and

said first and second means are positioned to steer said wheel holdingmeans at an angle and for a distance of movement of said vehicle framealong the ground to eifect a substantially turn of said vehicle betweenthe time said first means pivots said wheel holding means from saidfirst to said second positions and the time said second means pivotssaid wheel holding means from said second to said first positions.

6. The toy vehicle described in claim 1 wherein:

said frame has a substantially round perimeter, and

includes a capsule for holding a toy figure in a position to face in astraight-ahead direction when said vehicle is moving in a straight-aheadpath.

7. The toy vehicle described in claim 1 including:

motor means for driving said vehicle along the ground;

and

means for automatically terminating the operation of said motor means ata time after said second means pivots said wheel holding means to saidfirst position and before said first means pivots said wheel holdingmeans to said second position, whereby to cause said vehicle to startout in a straight-ahead direction when it begins a new run.

8. A toy vehicle for steering in accordance with the placement ofprogramming elements comprising:

a housing;

a first wheel rotatably mounted on said housing for propelling it alongthe ground;

motor means for driving said first wheel;

a pair of wheel-holding members pivotally coupled to said housing;

a pair of steerable wheels, each rotatably mounted on one of saidwheel-holding members;

a yoke having opposite ends coupled to said wheelholding members topivot them to steer said vehicle to the left and right;

a lever having a first portion pivotally mounted on said housing and asecond portion coupled to said yoke;

a left turning cam mounted on said lever, and operable by saidprogramming elements to pivot said lever in a first direction to movesaid yoke so it pivots said wheel-holding members in a direction tosteer to the left;

a left return cam mounted on said lever and operable by said programmingelements to pivot said lever in a second direction opposite to saidfirst direction;

a right turning cam mounted on said lever, and operable by saidprogramming elements to pivot said lever in said second direction tomove said yoke so it pivots said wheel-holding members to steer to theright;

a right return cam mounted on said lever, and operable by saidprogramming elements to pivot said lever in said first direction; and

means for holding said programming elements and moving them in a path tosuccessively contact one of said turning cams and then one of saidreturn cams.

9. The toy vehicle described in claim 8 wherein:

said means for holding said programming elements includes a member forholding said elements which is driven by said motor means, so that saidmember moves by distances directly proportional to the rotation of saidfirst wheel;

each of said turning cams is positioned to steer said steering wheelsfrom a straight-ahead direction to a predetermined angle away from astraight-ahead direction; and

each of said return cams is located a distance downpath from itsrespective turning cam to return said steering wheels to astraight-ahead position when said steering wheels have carried saidhousing far enough along a curved path to rotate said housingsubstantially 90 from the orientation it had prior to pivoting of therespective turning cam.

10. The toy vehicle described in claim 8 wherein:

said programming elements comprise plugs with pins therein; and

said means for holding said programming elements comprises a wheel witha plurality of plug-receiving holes arranged in first and secondconcentric circles radially spaced from each other, said wheel rotatablymounted about a substantially horizontal axis above said cams, so thatthe pins of said plugs project downwardly from a lower side of saidwheel and move in paths that cross the positions of said turning camswhen said vehicle is steering straight-ahead and that cross the positionof one of said return cams when said vehicle is moving away from astraightahead direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,131,508 5/1964 Brown 46-2443,252,247 5/1966 Miller et al. 46--244 3,383,794 5/1968 Ruth 46 2443,481,072 12/1969 Stohrer 46-244 25 ROBERT PESI-IOCK, Primary ExaminerD. L. WEINHOLD, JR., Assistant Examiner

